To travel you do not have to wait for the time you go on vacation. Even on a workweek, there is a time for a trip. To diversify your weekends and to get new impressions and emotions you can make a fantastic trip embracing our programme "short breaks".

Take your friends or family, choose up to three cities you want to visit and make a fabulous journey. In this weekend tour, you can stay for a one or two nights in the places you have chosen. You can be on excursions exploring and admiring the cities during the whole day and enjoy breathtaking views of the places recollecting bright moments of your trip at night. From dawn till night you will be able to see how the cities and everything around you change. Morning day will present the architecture and the landscape in sunlight glory while night will show transformed buildings and streets sinking in illumination.

What is the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to souvenirs from Russia? Of course, it is matryoshka, balalaika, vodka and caviar. Oh, and a hat with ear flaps as well! However, the ear flap hat is now in vogue, and has ceased to be such a rarity, vodka can be bought almost anywhere in the world.

Numerous souvenir shops are vying to sell magnets, mugs and T-shirts with slogans and thematic images (flag and coat of arms of Russia, funny sayings, bears, portraits of politicians and well-known writers), sailor's striped vests, as well as handicrafts. Khokhloma, Gzhel, enamel, birch amulets and Vologda lacework… the assortment is huge! But when you make purchases, don’t lower your guard.
Some unscrupulous sellers may try to sell you cheaper and substandard imitations. Of course, most of the shops have certificates for their goods and buy them directly from factories and workshops.
To help you not to get lost in all this colorful variety and tell how and where it is better to buy particular products, we have prepared separate articles for you on Russian folk crafts.

It makes sense to look for more valuable and rare souvenirs in antique shops.
Old coins, porcelain figurines of the Soviet era, icons, clocks, badges, decorations - one does not know where to look first!
But even here there are potential pitfalls. Apart from the fact that the seller may seriously inflate the price of what you want to buy, arguing that it is older or more valuable than it really is, there may be problems taking it out of the country.

As of today, it is prohibited to take any items of cultural value (books, figurines, icons, pictures, etc.), created prior to January 1, 1964 out of the country.

Important note: items of cultural value do not include cultural goods of serial and mass production, or modern souvenirs.

However, sometimes even an item of mass production manufactured over fifty years ago may attract the close attention of the customs service. If you want to protect yourself from unforeseen delays and undesired proceedings (the item is likely to stay with you, which, alas, cannot be said of your nerve cells), you can send the purchase to your own address by mail, after packing it carefully to avoid damage. Make sure that the package has a warning sign if the item is fragile.

Are you a little confused with all this information? Our team members are always ready to help you navigate all the rules, addresses, products and prices!

You will definitely find something to your liking and within your budget with all the variety of great Russian souvenirs!

Vladimir

Vladimir is one of the oldest Russian cities, where numerous monuments of Old Russian architecture remain. The distance between Moscow and Vladimir is covered by a three hour trip by car or train. Generally, a Golden Ring trip always includes a visit to Vladimir.

Historians argue about who founded Vladimir, and when. The city was founded in the year 990 by the Grand Duke Vladimir the Red Sun according to one version, but in 1108 by the order of the Grand Duke Vladimir Monomakh according to another. The second version is considered traditional and the city’s chronology is tied to that date.

A century later, the city became the center of Rostov-Suzdal principality, but after another two hundred years was completely looted and partially burned down by the Mongol invasions. It lost its status as a capital and turned into one of the provincial cities. During the Soviet era, Vladimir changed significantly. Some temples and churches were destroyed, new factories were built. Now the city is a regional center and an attractive place for tourists.

Visiting Vladimir you'll be amazed by its stark contrasts. Modern avenues with beautiful high-rise buildings in one area neighbor one-story wooden buildings in another. Architectural monuments are not only churches and cathedrals here, but also hospitals, shopping malls, and even banks.

One of the first stops in all tour itineraries is the Golden Gate. It is an old building from the twelfth century. Long ago, the city was surrounded by an extended bulwark, and 7 gates were used to enter the city. Only the Golden Gates have survived to the present day. They were used not only for defense against enemies, but also marked the entrance to the rich part of the city where the Dukes lived.

Another mandatory stop on the route for tourist groups is the Assumption Cathedral. It is situated high on the edge of the hill above the river. It is a magnificent building with richly painted walls inside. The cathedral contains tombs, where the remains of the bishops and representatives of the ducal house of Vladimir lie.

Among the oldest buildings in Vladimir is the Demetrius Cathedral, built in the twelfth century. Initially, this was the central structure of the architectural ensemble of the palace of the Duke Vsevolod the Big Nest, however, only the building of the cathedral has survived to the present day. The facades and interior walls of the cathedral are artistically painted by masters from the twelfth century. The complex scenes reproduce the legends of that time.

In contrast to the cathedrals and churches in Vladimir there is another interesting landmark, the Vladimir Central. It is a famous prison in Russia with an impressive history. It was built in the 18th century by the decree of Catherine II, and is still home to dangerous criminals serving their sentences. Those interested in the history of this institution can visit the prison’s museum and hear the story told by the guide.

Let us give some other interesting museums to visit in Vladimir: the Gingerbread Museum, the Fairy-Tale Museum “Babysya Yagusya”, and the Museum of Crystal and Lacquer Miniatures.

Vladimir is a large and modern city, you will be able to find a place to stay. Want a full immersion into the past? Go to the hotels located outside the city. It is there that the aura of the Russian days of yore is recreated.

Cafes and restaurants will delight visitors with varied menus. There are Japanese, European, Italian, and Caucasian cuisines. And, of course, there is a wide selection of dishes of Russian cuisine.

In the vicinity of Vladimir stand prominent nobles’ estates. For example, the Khrapovitsky estate is situated in the village of Muromtsevo. A huge stone structure adorned with turrets, reminiscent of a medieval castle, comes to life from the pages of a fairy tale. Besides the estate in Muromtsevo you can walk through the park, which can be characterized as royal by its size and beauty.

The house of the factory owner Dumnov in the village of Zarechie is a merchant’s estate from the 19th century and at the same time functions as a weaving museum. The museum is unique, because manual silk weaving is an ancient craft that was developed precisely in the Vladimirskaya Oblast, and is without equal in other regions. A collection of silk and velvet from the 19th century, and rare clothing made from these fabrics is on display for the visitors of the museum.

Vladimir regularly hosts a variety of holidays and festivals. For example, in mid-July Cherry Spas is celebrated, aimed at reviving the ancient rite of the cherry harvest. About four years ago Vladimir literally drowned in cherry orchards. During the blossoming period the city radiated a special charm, and was dominated by divine smells...At the festival you can taste cherries, buy gifts, tell fortunes from cherry pits, and do other things.

In the second half of August the city is transformed into a medieval village. The festival of medieval culture "Vladimir Blade" is held for three days in Vladimir. Tents, clothing and household items must be crafted according to 12th-16th century design. During the festival you can watch the knight battles, in which real professionals partake, the champions of Russia and the world!

Autumn in Vladimir is time for the Russian theatre forum "The Golden Gate". The citizens and guests of the city are invited to watch the best award winning performances of the last two years.

Tourists take souvenirs from Vladimir, gigabytes of photos, and a cherry disposition. It cannot be any different, since Vladimir is a bright and cheerful town, where one can feel the grandeur and glory of the old times.